A staggering increase in hunger-related deaths has ravaged Gaza, with at least 48 people, including 28 adults and 20 children, dying in the past three weeks alone. The surge in malnutrition-related fatalities is a direct consequence of Israel’s ongoing blockade, which has severely restricted the flow of essential food and medical supplies.
Hospitals, especially Patient’s Friends Hospital in northern Gaza, are overwhelmed with the increasing number of children suffering from severe malnutrition. Dr Rana Soboh, a nutritionist at the hospital, reported a dramatic deterioration in patients, with children too weak to move or cry. “Kids are dying before the world,” she said, highlighting the dire conditions faced by children under five, some of whom are no longer responding to treatment due to lack of essential nutrients, including potassium.
The World Health Organization and UN officials report similar numbers, with at least 13 child deaths in July, and 21 children under five dying in 2025 due to hunger. Dr John Kahler, co-founder of Medglobal, warned that Gaza’s population is heading into a “death spiral,” as a significant portion of the population reaches their limit in surviving with caloric deficits.
Israel has allowed some aid shipments into Gaza recently, but the UN states that it is insufficient to meet the population’s needs. The blockade, now in place for over five months, has left many families without access to adequate food. In one case, a 2-year-old child, Yazan Abu Ful, is seen emaciated, his family unable to provide proper nourishment. His father expressed the helplessness many feel: “There is no food.”
Malnutrition is also taking a toll on adults, with hospital director Mohammed Abu Selmia noting that those with preexisting conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, are suffering greatly from nutrient deficiencies, which worsen their health issues.
Despite international calls for unrestricted aid, Israel continues to limit supplies, accusing Hamas of causing disruptions in distribution. However, humanitarian groups assert that the real issue lies in the continued blockade, which is exacerbating Gaza’s hunger crisis.
The ongoing siege has turned Gaza into a humanitarian disaster, with starvation spreading and no clear end in sight.